Delegate and registration volunteer Mark Liberto, from Arlington, Texas, pauses to make a photo of the large GOP elephant at the convention center west entrance as people arrive, Wednesday, June 4, 2014, for the Republican Party of Texas state convention (starting Thursday, June 5) at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Star-Telegram, Paul Moseley) MAGAZINES OUT; (FORT WORTH WEEKLY, 360 WEST); INTERNET OUT. less

Delegate and registration volunteer Mark Liberto, from Arlington, Texas, pauses to make a photo of the large GOP elephant at the convention center west entrance as people arrive, Wednesday, June 4, 2014, for ... more

Photo: Paul Moseley, Associated Press

Image 2 of 30

Tea Party volunteer Margaret Foland, from Arlington, Texas, wears another style of elephant hat available in the vendor area on the convention center floor as people arrive, Wednesday, June 4, 2014, for the Republican Party of Texas state convention (starting Thursday, June 5) at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Star-Telegram, Paul Moseley) MAGAZINES OUT; (FORT WORTH WEEKLY, 360 WEST); INTERNET OUT. less

Tea Party volunteer Margaret Foland, from Arlington, Texas, wears another style of elephant hat available in the vendor area on the convention center floor as people arrive, Wednesday, June 4, 2014, for the ... more

Photo: Paul Moseley, Associated Press

Image 3 of 30

Texas Land Commissioner nominee George P. Bush waves after his speech during the state Republican convention in Fort Worth, Texas Thursday, June, 5, 2014. Bush is a rising GOP star who could lead the party on Hispanic outreach. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

Texas Land Commissioner nominee George P. Bush waves after his speech during the state Republican convention in Fort Worth, Texas Thursday, June, 5, 2014. Bush is a rising GOP star who could lead the party on ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 4 of 30

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and national issues than his political legacy at home. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 5 of 30

Image 6 of 30

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and national issues than his political legacy at home. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 7 of 30

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and national issues than his political legacy at home. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 8 of 30

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and national issues than his political legacy at home. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 9 of 30

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and national issues than his political legacy at home. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 10 of 30

Image 11 of 30

Tara Cowan carries a Bushmaster AR 15 at an Open Carry rally at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, June 5, 2014. The Texas GOP convention began in Fort Worth on Thursday. (AP Photo/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Max Faulkner) MAGS OUT less

Tara Cowan carries a Bushmaster AR 15 at an Open Carry rally at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, June 5, 2014. The Texas GOP convention began in Fort Worth on Thursday. (AP ... more

Brian Chrusciel, Fort Worth, carries his Ruger 10/22 at an Open Carry rally at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, June 5, 2014. The Texas GOP convention began in Fort Worth on ... more

Photo: Max Faulkner, Associated Press

Image 14 of 30

CORRECTS DAY OF WEEK IN SECOND SENTENCE TO THURSDAY - A man, who didn't want to be identified has a rifle and a Texas flag at an "open carry" rally at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, June 5, 2014. The Texas GOP convention got underway at the convention center on Thursday. (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Max Faulkner)

CORRECTS DAY OF WEEK IN SECOND SENTENCE TO THURSDAY - A man, who didn't want to be identified has a rifle and a Texas flag at an "open carry" rally at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas,

People hold signs during a same sex marriage rally outside the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, June 5, 2014. The Texas GOP convention began in Fort Worth on Thursday. (AP Photo/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Max Faulkner) MAGS OUT less

People hold signs during a same sex marriage rally outside the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, June 5, 2014. The Texas GOP convention began in Fort Worth on Thursday. (AP Photo/The ... more

Photo: Max Faulkner, Associated Press

Image 17 of 30

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and national issues than his political legacy at home. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

Gov. Rick Perry gives a speech during the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, June, 5, 2014. In his address, the longest-serving governor in the state's history focused more on the future and ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 18 of 30

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution unseen since the days of Ronald Reagan. The tea party favorite is a possible 2016 presidential candidate, and seemed like one during his speech Friday before thousands of adoring delegates who gave him numerous standing ovations. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 19 of 30

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution unseen since the days of Ronald Reagan. The tea party favorite is a possible 2016 presidential candidate, and seemed like one during his speech Friday before thousands of adoring delegates who gave him numerous standing ovations. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 20 of 30

Image 21 of 30

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution unseen since the days of Ronald Reagan. The tea party favorite is a possible 2016 presidential candidate, and seemed like one during his speech Friday before thousands of adoring delegates who gave him numerous standing ovations. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 22 of 30

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution unseen since the days of Ronald Reagan. The tea party favorite is a possible 2016 presidential candidate, and seemed like one during his speech Friday before thousands of adoring delegates who gave him numerous standing ovations. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 23 of 30

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution unseen since the days of Ronald Reagan. The tea party favorite is a possible 2016 presidential candidate, and seemed like one during his speech Friday before thousands of adoring delegates who gave him numerous standing ovations. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz address delegates at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz has fired up the Texas Republican Convention, promising to lead a conservative revolution ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 24 of 30

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, right, and his wife Heidi Nelson Cruz wave to delegates the Texas GOP Convention after his speech in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz promised to lead a conservative revolution unseen since the days of Ronald Reagan. (AP Photo/Rex C. Curry) less

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, right, and his wife Heidi Nelson Cruz wave to delegates the Texas GOP Convention after his speech in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, June 6, 2014. Cruz promised to lead a conservative revolution ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, Associated Press

Image 25 of 30

Image 26 of 30

Jack Finger, left of San Antonio, holds a sign showing his feelings on the immigration question during the third day of the Texas Republican Convention at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, TX, Saturday, June 7, 2014. (Star-Telegram/Rodger Mallison) less

Jack Finger, left of San Antonio, holds a sign showing his feelings on the immigration question during the third day of the Texas Republican Convention at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, TX, ... more

Amy Hedtke of Grayson County wears a black powder revolver strapped to her boot.

Amy Hedtke of Grayson County wears a black powder revolver strapped to her boot.

Photo: Rodger Mallison, STF

Image 29 of 30

Wade Webster of Harris County wears part of his Uncle Sam outfit Saturday as he returns from lunch during the third day of the Texas Republican Convention at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Wade Webster of Harris County wears part of his Uncle Sam outfit Saturday as he returns from lunch during the third day of the Texas Republican Convention at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Photo: Rodger Mallison, STF

Image 30 of 30

GOP plank on gays denounced

1 / 30

Back to Gallery

"Reparative therapy," a type of "conversion" counseling purportedly aimed at helping homosexuals move away from the lifestyle, which was adopted last week as an official platform plank at the state Republican Party's convention, has been denounced as dangerous quackery by professional organizations, outlawed in two states, and rejected as unsound and hurtful by the founder of a once-prominent "ex gay" ministry that used to engage in it.

The controversial provision, which made headlines across the country, endorses "the legitimacy and efficacy of counseling, which offers reparative therapy and treatment for those patients seeking healing and wholeness from their homosexual lifestyle."

Gays in the party, including a leader of a conservative group from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, fought against adoption of the plank, reflecting an ongoing division within the GOP over how to approach homosexuality as an increasing number of states and courts embrace same-sex marriage.

The American Psychological Association and numerous other professional groups have taken strong stands against any sort of therapy or counseling that seeks to push individuals away from homosexual identity or conduct. They say that the representation of gay identity as abnormal to young people experiencing same-sex attraction can cause long-term damage.

"In light of the current body of research, we cannot support the GOP's platform statement indicating the 'value' of reparative therapy," Laviage said in a prepared statement. "Although research continues, the conclusions reached by (the American Psychological Association) in peer-reviewed studies since 1960 suggest that the 'value' of reparative therapy has not been demonstrated empirically. There is practical evidence that sound psychological treatments help people understand, positively adjust and adapt to their life circumstances."